Rape of Deianeira
1850
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1850
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This print depicts a dramatic scene from mythology, with a woman being carried away by a centaur. The woman, Deianeira, is dressed in a flowing robe and appears to be struggling against her captor. The centaur, with the upper body of a man and the lower body of a horse, is shown in mid-stride, his face contorted in a fierce expression. In the background, a serene landscape unfolds, with trees and hills visible beneath a cloudy sky. The overall mood of the print is one of tension and conflict, as the woman's fate hangs in the balance. For more information on this style of print, explore the technique of chiaroscuro.
